Projector arrangement

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a projector arrangement ( 1 ) in which an objective cover unit ( 6 ) for covering a light exit portion or surface ( 4   e ) of an objective unit ( 4 ) is adapted to serve as a support or bearing ( 8 ) for a projector unit ( 3 ) of a projector arrangement ( 1 ) in an operation mode. Additionally or alternatively, said projector arrangement ( 1 ) comprises a surface region ( 2   a ) to be rested on in an operation or projection mode, so as to realize distinct positions and/or orientations for the projection.

[0001] The present invention relates to a projector arrangementaccording to the preamble of independent claim 1 and alternativelyaccording to the preamble of independent claim 4.

[0002] Projectors and projector arrangements for projecting images on anexternal screen become more and more popular. For instance, so-calledbeamers or beamer arrangements are used to project images produceswithin a portable personal computer, e.g. a laptop or notebook, to alarge audience within lectures, teaching courses of the like. In knownapparatuses for projecting images a projector unit is provided having anobjective unit for optically projecting images, in particular on anexternal screen. For protecting the objective unit it is known toprovide an objective cover unit for covering a light exit portion orlight exit surface of said objective unit against mechanical impacts,dust and dirt, in particular within a standby, pause, non-projectingand/or non-operation mode of said projector arrangement.

[0003] In general there are additionally means necessary and providedfor supporting the projector arrangement during operation and theprocess of projection on an operation surface, such as a table or thelike. Therefore, there are different components and separate elementsnecessary and needed in known projectors and projector arrangements forrealizing on the one hand a protection for the objective unit and on theother hand for supporting and bearing the projector arrangement duringits use on an external working or operation surface.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a projectorarrangement which which can be stably supported on an external workingor operation surface involving a limited or reduced number ofcomponents, and in particular which can be at the same time be protectedin a reliable manner.

[0005] The object is achieved in a projector arrangement according tothe generic part of independent claim 1 and as described above accordingto the invention with the characterizing features of independent claim1. Alternatively, the object is achieved in a projector arrangementaccording to the generic part of independent claim 4 and as describedabove according to the invention with the characterizing features ofindependent claim 4. Preferred embodiments of the inventive projectorarrangement are within the scope of the dependent sub-claims.

[0006] According to a first solution of the object, the projectorarrangement according to the present invention is characterized in thatsaid objective cover unit is adapted to serve and/or to function as asupport or bearing unit for supporting said projector unit, inparticular on an external operation surface and/or in particular in anoperation mode of said projector arrangement.

[0007] It is therefore a basic idea of the present invention accordingto the first solution to provide a objective cover unit with twofunctionalities. According to the first functionality said objectivecover unit is adapted for covering a light exit portion of saidobjective unit in a non-projecting mode of the projector arrangement,such as a standby mode or a pause mode. According to the invention thesecond functionality of the objective cover unit is to serve as asupport or bearing unit, i.e. to support and bear the projector unitduring an operation mode or projecting mode of the projectorarrangement. Therefore, according to the present invention, explicit andseparate supporting and bearing means are obsolete, as the protectingfunctionality for the light exit portion of the objective unit can berealized by the objective cover unit during the non-projecting mode andas the objective cover unit can be used as a support and bearing unit ina projecting mode, where the protecting functionality of the objectivecover unit is not needed.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present inventiveprojector arrangement, said objective cover unit and/or the projectorunit are formed and/or adapted to allow a plurality of locations and/orportions of or on said projector unit to be rested on said objectivecover unit when said projector unit is supported by said objective coverunit as said support or bearing unit in said operation mode of saidobjector arrangement. According to that particular measure a pluralityof locations and/or portions on said projector unit is provided allowinga respective and according plurality of projecting situations, forinstance a plurality of horizontal and/or vertical inclination angles orprojecting angles.

[0009] Additionally or alternatively, each of said locations and/orportions of or on said projector unit is chosen to be assigned to and/orto realize distinct orientations and/or positions of said projectorarrangement in an particular of its objective unit when said projectorunit is supported by said objective cover unit as said support orbearing unit in said operation mode for said projector arrangement.

[0010] According to the alternative second solution of the object, theprojector arrangement according to the present invention comprises aprojector unit having an objective unit for optically projecting images,in particular on an external screen and is characterized in that asurface region is provided having a plurality of locations and/orportions being adapted for directly or indirectly resting on, inparticular an external operation or working surface, in an operationmode or projecting mode of said projector arrangement and further inthat each of said locations and/or portions of or on said projector unitare chosen to be assigned to and/or to realize a distinct positionand/or orientation of said projector arrangement and in particular ofits objective unit in said operation mode or projecting mode of saidprojector arrangement.

[0011] It is therefore a basic idea of the second solution to providesaid projector arrangement and in particular said projector unit thereofwith a surface region for resting on said projector arrangement in aplurality of portions and/or location, thereby ensuring a variety ofprojection orientations and/or positions in a convenient manner andwithout the need of further equipment.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the second solution fixingmeans is/are provided for detachably fixing said projector arrangementand in particular said projector unit in each of said locations and/orportions and in particular in each of said distinct positions and/ororientations, when resting in or on a respective location and/orportion.

[0013] The projector arrangement according to the second solutionpreferably comprises an objective cover unit for covering a light exitportion or light exit surface (4 e) of said objective unit in a standby,pause, non-projecting mode and/or non-operation mode of said projectorarrangement, wherein that said objective cover unit is adapted to serveand/or to function as a support or bearing unit for supporting saidprojector unit and/or as said fixing means, in particular on an externaloperation surface, in an operation mode of said projector arrangement.

[0014] According to a preferred advantageous embodiment of the inventiveprojector arrangement each of said locations and/or portions of or onsaid projector unit is chosen to be assigned to and/or to realizedistinct—vertical and/or horizontal—projection angles or inclinationangles of said projector arrangement and in particular of its objectiveunit when said projector unit is supported by said objective cover unitas said support or bearing unit in said operation mode or said projectorarrangement, in particular with respect to a horizontal plane of anexternal operating surface and/or in particular with respect to saidexternal screen.

[0015] Additionally or alternatively, it is preferred that saidobjective unit and/or said projector unit are formed and/or adapted toprovide a continuously distributed plurality of said locations/portions,positions/orientations and/or projection angles or inclination angles.According to this particular measure a particular large variety ofdifferent projection situations in the sense of projecting angles orinclination angles can be realized so as to enable a particularconvenient use and application of the inventive projector arrangement.

[0016] It is further preferred that said projector unit comprises a baseportion having a surface, in particular as said surface region of saidprojector arrangement or said projector unit, at least a part of whichbeing continuously and/or smoothly curved in an at least local convexmanner, in particular to realize said plurality of saidlocations/portions, positions/orientations and/or projection angles orinclination angles, in particular on its surface, and/or in particularso as to enable in said operation mode a resting or supporting of saidprojection unit on said support or bearing unit.

[0017] In this case it is further preferred that said base portion hasat least in part—when cross sectionally viewed—an at least partlycircular elliptical and/or parabolic shape.

[0018] Further, it is preferred that said base portion have at least inpart a spherical, ellipsoidal, paraboloidal, and/or cylindrical shape.

[0019] It is of particular advantage to provide a base portion, which isessentially formed as a hemisphere and/or as a hemi-cylinder or as apart thereof.

[0020] According to a further alternative of the present invention saidobjective cover unit may be formed as a detachable cap for saidobjective unit. This ensures a particular convenient usage of theobjective cover unit, as a cap may be moved around and fixed anddetached from the objective unit in an easy and reliable manner.

[0021] The objective cover unit—in particular in the form of adetachable cap—may be realized in a plurality of geometrical andmechanical shapes.

[0022] For instance, it is possible that said objective cover unitcomprises a first or inner base surface which is adapted to face saidlight exit portion or light exit surface of said objective unit in saidstandby, pause, non-projecting and/or non-operation mode and to face theprojector unit and in particular a portion of its base portion in saidoperation mode of said projector arrangement. In this case,additionally, a second or outer base surface is provided, which issituated opposite to said first or inner base surface and thereforesituated opposite from said light exit portion or light exit surface ofsaid objective unit in said standby, pause, non-projecting and/ornon-operation mode and opposite said base portion and/or the surfacethereof in said operation or projecting mode and which is adapted toface and to rest on said external operation surface in said operationmode of said inventive projector arrangement.

[0023] In this case, additionally said objective cover unit comprises arim portion, in particular provided on the periphery of said first orinner base surface, and projecting away from said first or inner basesurface, in particular essentially in the direction of the inner basesurface's normal, thereby forming abutment surfaces adapted to support,to bear or to have rested on the projector unit and in particular saidbase portion thereof in said operation mode of said inventive projectorarrangement.

[0024] It is of further advantage, if said objective cover unit as saidsupport or bearing unit and in particular its rim portion and/orabutment surfaces and/or said projector unit and in particular its baseportion are formed and adapted to realized one or an arbitrarycombination or plurality of the following aspects of cooperating and/orengaging of respective shapes and/or surfaces, of providing frictionalinteracting forces with respect to each other, and/or of having a stableand/or equilibrated supporting.

[0025] To achieve a stable projecting situation it is preferred thatsaid projector unit and in particular its base portion has a shapedand/or a mass distribution so as to ensure to be supported by saidsupport or bearing unit in a loss or gravitational equilibrium.

[0026] According to a further alternative, said objective cover unit andin particular its rim portion comprise position holding or fixing meansor elements for ensuring an essentially fixed positioning of thesupported and rested projector unit in said operation mode.

[0027] These and further aspects made be further elucidated taking intoaccount the following remarks:

[0028] The shape of a projector may be of half-circular form orsemispherical form. For different fields of applications the height ofprojection can be individually changed. A special character of thisprojector is that the objective cover is used for the fixing of theprojecting angle or projection angle. Also moving the cover along agroove axis the projector stands as a certain position and thereforeallows to easily be adjusted to the light vertical projecting angle upto 90°.

[0029] The special circular shape ensures the height adjustment that canbe dynamically changed by remode control. Vertical adjustment capabilitycan be extended of a maximum to ±45°. On the other hand the objectivemay be protected with the cover in the off-mode or non-projection mode.In the working mode or projection mode the cover is used for fixing theprojection angle of the projector. This angle can vary for instancebetween 0° and 35°.

[0030] The moving of the objective cover may be done with positionholders for instance, at the edge of the objective. As an alternativethe projector and its base portion may be designed as a sphere andtherefore it may offer the possibility to adjust a vertical projectionangle of 90° and also of 360° as a horizontal projection angle.

[0031] In the following the present invention will become elucidated onthe basis of a preferred embodiment taking into account the accompanyingFigures.

[0032]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of theinventive projector arrangement in a non-operation mode.

[0033]FIG. 2-4 are cross-sectional side views of the embodiment of FIG.1 in an operation mode with three different projecting angles.

[0034]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an objective cover unitthat can be employed in the inventive projector arrangement.

[0035] In the following, elements and components having a comparablestructure and/or similar functionalities are indicated by the samereference symbols. A detailed description of these elements is notrepeated in each case of their occurrence.

[0036]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of theinventive projector arrangement 1 in a non-operation or non-projectingmode. The projector arrangement 1 is build up by a projector unit 3comprising an objective unit 4 and a base portion 2. The objective unit4 comprises a light output portion 4 e or light output surface 4 e whichis covered in the situation shown in FIG. 1 by a objective cover unit 6.Therefore, the objective cover unit 6 surrounds and is attached to sideareas 4 s of said objective unit 4 in the vicinity of said light outputportion 4 e or said light output surface 4 e. The base portion 2 is inthe case of FIG. 1 of hemispherical or cylindrical shape so that thecross-section of said base portion 2 has a almost half-circular shape.The base portion 2 and therefore the complete projector unit 3 rest inan operation mode or a projecting mode on the base portion's surfacearea 2 a.

[0037] In the situation shown in FIG. 2 the objective cover unit 6 hasbeen removed so as to be positioned with its outer base surface 6 b orsecond base surface 6 b on an external operating surface 100. Therefore,said objective cover unit 6 serves and functions as a supporting andbearing unit 8 for said projector unit 3. In this situation the baseportion 2 of the projector unit 3 rests with a part P2 of its surface 2a on rim portions 6 r of the objective cover unit 6 to be describedbelow. In the situation shown in FIG. 2 the projector unit 3 andtherefore its objective unit 4 are oriented and positioned horizontally,so that the inclination angle a2 between the axis n6 of the objectivecover unit 6 as said supporting and bearing unit 8 and the axis n4 ofthe objective unit 4 is 0°. Therefore, the image to be projected on theexternal screen 20 by rays 10 is also produced under a projection angleor inclination angle of 0°. As already mentioned, to achieve thehorizontal positioning the base portion 2 is supported on the supportingor bearing unit 8 in the form of said objective cover unit 6 with itslocation or portion P2 indicated by the curved arrow in FIG. 2.

[0038] In FIG. 2 also the pivotal point Z or rotational point Z isindicated about which the base portion 2 and therefore the completeprojector unit 3 can be rotated.

[0039] By rotating the complete projector unit 3 about theaforementioned pivotal point Z an inclination angle α₃ of about 20°between the axis n4 of the objective unit 4 and n6 of the objectivecover unit 6 can be achieved. Consequently, an inclination anglediffering from 0° with respect to the projecting raise 10 is obtained.This is done by resting and supporting the base portion 2 of theprojector unit 2 with its location or portion P3 indicated by therespective curved arrow.

[0040]FIG. 4 demonstrates a further increased inclination between theaxis n4 of the objective unit 4 and n6 of the objective cover unit 6 assaid supporting or bearing unit 8. Here an inclination α₄ of about 40°is achieved by positioning the base portion with its location or portionP4 on said objective cover unit 6 as said supporting or bearing unit 8.

[0041]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the objective cover unit6 as said supporting or bearing unit 8. The objective cover unit 6consists of a first or inner base surface 6 o and a second or outer basesurface 6 b opposite to said first or inner base surface 6 o. In thenon-operation mode or non-projecting mode shown in FIG. 1 said first orinner base surface 6 o of said objective cover unit 6 is closelyadjacent to said light exit portion 4 e or light exit surface 4 e of theobjective unit 4 wherein said rim portion 6 r of said objective coverunit 6 is then situated with its inner surface 6 s in mechanical contactwith the respective surface portion 4 s of the objective unit 4 whichare located in the vicinity of said light exit portion 4 e or said lightexit surface 4 e. In the projecting mode or operation mode the objectivecover unit 6 is used as a supporting or bearing unit 8 by placing saidobjective cover unit 6 with its second base surface 6 b onto an externalworking or operation surface 100 as is shown in the sequence of FIG. 2to 4. In this case, the rim 6 r extends from the first or inner basesurface 6 o away, in particular in essentially vertical manner which canbe described by the direction of the axis n6 shown in FIG. 2 to 4. Inaccordance to its lateral extension the rim 6 r possesses abutmentsurfaces 6 u, onto which the distinct surface portions P2, P3, or P4,respectively, can be rested on so as to realize different projectionangles or inclination angles for said objective unit 4 with respect tosaid external screen 20.

List of Reference Symbols

[0042]1 projector arrangement according to the present invention

[0043]2 base portion

[0044]2 a surface, surface region

[0045]3 projector unit

[0046]4 objective unit

[0047]4 e light exit portion, light exit surface

[0048]6 objective cover unit, cap, objective cap

[0049]6 b second base surface, outer base surface

[0050]6 o first base surface, inner base surface

[0051]6 p outer peripheral surface

[0052]6 r rim, rim portion

[0053]6 s inner peripheral surface

[0054]6 u abutment surface

[0055]8 supporting unit, bearing unit, fixing means

[0056]10 projecting ray, projecting beam, ray of light

[0057]20 external screen

[0058]100 external operating surface, external working surface

[0059] n4 axis of objective unit

[0060] n6 axis of objective cover unit, axis of supporting and bearingunit

[0061] P2 surface portion, portion, location, position

[0062] P3 surface portion, portion, location, position

[0063] P4 surface portion, portion, location, position

[0064] Z pivotal point, rotational point

[0065] α₂ inclination angle, projection angle

[0066] α₃ inclination angle, projection angle

[0067] α₄ inclination angle, projection angle

1. Projector arrangement, comprising: a projector unit (3) having anobjective unit (4) for optically projecting images, in particular on anexternal screen (20), and an objective cover unit (6) for covering alight exit portion (4 e) or light exit surface (4 e) of said objectiveunit (4) in a standby, pause, non-projecting mode and/or non-operationmode of said projector arrangement (1), characterized in that saidobjective cover unit (6) is adapted to serve and/or to function as asupport or bearing unit (8) for supporting said projector unit (3), inparticular on an external operation surface (100), in an operation modeof said projector arrangement (1).
 2. Projector arrangement according toclaim 1, wherein said objective cover unit (6) and/or said projectorunit (3) are formed and/or are adapted to allow a plurality of locations(P2, P3, P4) and/or portions (P2, P3, P4) of or on said projector unit(3) to be rested on said objective cover unit (6) when said projectorunit (3) is supported by said objective cover unit (6) as said supportor bearing unit (8) in said operation mode of said projector arrangement(1).
 3. Projector arrangement according to claim 2, wherein each of saidlocations (P2, P3, P4) and/or portions (P2, P3, P4) of or on saidprojector unit (3) are chosen to be assigned to and/or to realize adistinct position and/or orientation of said projector arrangement (1)and in particular of its objective unit (4) when said projector unit (3)is supported by said objective cover unit (6) as said support or bearingunit (8) in said operation mode of said projector arrangement (1). 4.Projector arrangement, comprising a projector unit (3) having anobjective unit (4) for optically projecting images, in particular on anexternal screen (20), characterized in that a surface region (2 a) isprovided having a plurality of locations (P2, P3, P4) and/or portions(P2, P3, P4) being adapted for directly or indirectly resting on, inparticular an external operation or working surface (100), in anoperation mode or projecting mode of said projector arrangement (1) andthat each of said locations (P2, P3, P4) and/or portions (P2, P3, P4) ofor on said projector unit (3) are chosen to be assigned to and/or torealize a distinct position and/or orientation of said projectorarrangement (1) and in particular of its objective unit (4) in saidoperation mode or projecting mode of said projector arrangement (1). 5.Projector arrangement according to claim 4, wherein fixing means is/areprovided for detachably fixing said projector arrangement (1) and inparticular said projector unit (3) in each of said locations (P2, P3,P4) and/or portions (P2, P3, P4) and in particular in each of saiddistinct positions and/or orientations, when resting in or on arespective location (P2, P3, P4) and/or portion (P2, P3, P4). 6.Projector arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims 4 or5, wherein an objective cover unit (6) for covering a light exit portion(4 e) or light exit surface (4 e) of said objective unit (4) in astandby, pause, non-projecting mode and/or non-operation mode of saidprojector arrangement (1), and wherein that said objective cover unit(6) is adapted to serve and/or to function as a support or bearing unit(8) for supporting said projector unit (3) and/or as said fixing means(8), in particular on an external operation surface (100), in anoperation mode of said projector arrangement (1).
 7. Projectorarrangement according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 6, whereineach of said locations (P2, P3, P4) and/or portions (P2, P3, P4) of oron said projector unit (3) are chosen to be assigned to and/or torealize distinct—vertical and/or horizontal—projection angles (α₂, α₃,α₄) or inclination angles (α₂, α₃, α₄) of said projector arrangement (1)and in particular of its objective unit (4) when said projector unit (3)is supported by said objective cover unit (6) as said support or bearingunit (8) in said operation mode of said projector arrangement (1) and/orin particular with respect to a horizontal plane of an externaloperating surface (100) and/or with respect to said external screen(20).
 8. Projector arrangement according to any one of the precedingclaims 2 to 7, wherein said objective cover unit (6) and/or saidprojector unit (3) are formed and/or are adapted to provide acontinuously distributed plurality of said locations/portions (P2, P3,P4), positions/orientations and/or projection angles (α₂, α₃, α₄) orinclination angles (α₂, α₃, α₄).
 9. Projector arrangement according toany one of the preceding claims, wherein said projector unit (3)comprises a base portion (2) having a surface (2 a), in particular assaid surface region (2 a) of said projector unit, at least a part ofwhich being continuously and/or smoothly curved in an at least localconvex manner, in particular so as to realize said plurality of saidlocations/portions (P2, P3, P4), positions/orientations and/orprojection angles (α₂, α₃, α₄) or inclination angles (α₂, α₃, α₄), inparticular on its surface (2 a), and/or in particular so as to enable insaid operation mode of said projector arrangement (1) a resting orsupporting of said projector unit (3) on said support or bearing unit(8).
 10. Projector arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said baseportion (2) has at least in part—when cross sectionally viewed—an atleast partial circular, elliptical, and/or parabolic shape. 11.Projector arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims 9 or10, wherein said base portion (2) has at least in part a spherical,ellipsoidal, paraboloidal and/or cylindrical shape.
 12. Projectorarrangement according to any one of the preceding claims 9 to 11,wherein said base portion (2) is essentially formed as a hemisphere orhemicylinder or as a part thereof.
 13. Projector arrangement accordingto any one of the preceding claims, wherein said objective cover unit(6) is formed as a detachable cap for said objective unit (4). 14.Projector arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein said objective cover unit (6) comprises: a first or inner basesurface (6 o) adapted to face said light exit portion (4 e) or lightexit surface (4 e) of said objective unit (4) in said standby, pause,non-projecting and/or non-operating mode and to face said projector unit(3) and in particular said base portion (2) further in particular istsurface (2 a) in said operation mode of said projector arrangement (1),and a second or outer base surface (6 b) situated opposite said first orinner base surface (6 i) and therefore situated opposite from said lightexit portion or said light exit surface (4 e) of said objective unit (4)in said standby, pause, non-projecting, and/or non-operating mode andopposite said base portion (2) and/or said surface (2 a) thereof in saidoperation mode and which is in particular adapted to face and rest onsaid external operating surface (100) in said operation mode. 15.Projector arrangement according to claim 14, wherein said objectivecover unit (6) comprises a rim portion (6 r), in particular provided onthe periphery of said first or inner base surface (60) and projectingaway from said first or inner base surface (60), in particularessentially in the direction of the inner base surface's (60) normal(n6), thereby forming abutment surfaces (6 u) adapted to support or tohave rested on said projector unit (3), in particular said base portion(2) and in particular its surface (2 a) in said operation mode of saidprojector arrangement (1).
 16. Projector arrangement according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said objective cover unit (6) assaid support or bearing unit (8) and in particular its rim portion (6 r)and/or said abutment surfaces (6 u) and/or said projector unit (6 r) andin particular its base portion (2) are formed and adapted to realizedone or an arbitrary combination or plurality of the following aspects:cooperation and/or engaging of respective shapes and/or surfaces,frictional interaction forces between each other, stable and/orequilibrated support of said projector unit.
 17. Projector arrangementaccording to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said projectorunit (3) and in particular its base portion (2) have a shape and/or amass distribution so as to ensure to be supported by said support orbearing unit (8) in mass or gravitational equilibrium.
 18. Projectorarrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein saidobjective cover unit (6) and in particular its rim portion (6 r)comprise position holding or fixing elements for ensuring an essentiallyfixed positioning of the supported and rested projector unit (3) in saidoperation mode.